The Rivers State Government on Friday approved a contract for the reconstruction, refurbishing and furnishing of the State House of Assembly complex at the cost of N19.6 billion to Messrs Monier Construction Company Nigeria Limited.
Recall that on Oct. 29, 2023, the Rivers State House of Assembly was rocked by an explosion making it to fail structural integrity that led to the demolition of some sections.
The government also approved a contract for the construction of a link road with bridge from Opobo to Epellema and Kalaibiama road in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of the State with a total cost of N29.03 billion also to Monier Construction Company Nigeria Limited.
The approvals were part of the decisions at the 4th State Executive Council meeting of the year presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara held at the Council Chamber, Government House, Port Harcourt.
Briefing Government House Correspondents on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Senibo Joe Johnson flanked by his Health counterpart, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Projects, Dr. Roland Whyte and Acting Director, Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr Tamunoprinye Briggs, noted that after due consideration of the memoranda presented by the affected ministries, the Council presided over by the Governor approved as requested.
On her part, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh noted that the Council considered the Ministry’s request for the termination of the contracts for the completion of zonal hospitals at Ahoada, Bori, Degema and Omoku, and re-awarded for their completion.
She emphasised that the Council also awarded the contracts for the renovation of Bonny general hospital, and upgrade of the Neuropsychiatric hospital, Rumuigbo, as well as construction of a new general hospital also at Rumuigbo in Obio Akpor Local Government Area which were not part of the initial renovation works on the other hospitals.
She added that the total contract sum for the entire project is N26.3 billion.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Projects, Dr Roland Whyte said that the rebuilding of the State House of Assembly would last for nine months.
Whyte added that the project include a model 34 ensuite offices, gallery, conference hall as well as renovation of existing structures in addition to procurement of an ambulance for the complex.
He noted that the Opobo-Epellema road which is 5.75km would cost N25.2 billion and that the project was expected to be delivered in 12 months with spur and bridge of about 450 meters and solar powered Street lighting.
Whyte also said that the Kalaibiama road would cost the state government N3.7 billion, bringing the total contract for both projects to N29.03 billion.
He added that the government also approved 30 per cent down payment of the contract sum on the projects.
The Acting Director, Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr Tamunoprinye Briggs said after due diligence on the documents submitted by both ministries and evaluation of the price indices, the Bureau gave the projects certificate of no objections and approval for the award of the contracts to be executed within the time frame and cost as approved.
